Vapor emanator



July 16, 1940. KlNGMAN 2,207,889

VAPOR EMANATOR Filed Dec. 15, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

? ATTOIENEY.

y 1940- R. B. KINGMAN 2,207,839

VAPOR EMANATOR Filed Dec. 15, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

BY 2245196715 fzhymarz,

$7M l M ATTbRNEY.

Patented July 16, 1940 VAPOR EMANATOR Russell B. Kingman, Orange, N. J.,assignor to Housekeeping Products (30., East Orange, N. J., acorporation of New Jersey Application December 15, 1938, Serial No.245,821

10 Claims. (01. 219-45) 1.- to be supported thereby and so as to utilizethe radiant heat thereof in aid of the operative vaporizing anddisseminating processes.

This invention has for an object to provide a vapor emanator of the kindand for the purposes mentioned comprising, a chambered member of annularform provided with vapor vents, said member being charged with avaporizable agent or substance capable of emanating vapors or fumes ofdesired character, together with means for operatively relating saidmember in attached supported relation to an electric light bulb in suchmanner that warm air in the vicinity of the lighted bulb is socontrolled as to be caused to move in ascending streams adjacent to thevapor vents to thereby assure a rapid and eflicient dissemination anddiffusion to the surrounding atmosphere of the vapors or fumes emittedfrom said vents.

The invention has for another object to provide a vapor emanatorcharacterized as above stated, wherein the body of the annular chamberedmember constituting the same is provided with air admission means toreceive, for passage through the body interior, a portion of the warmair in the vicinity of the lighted bulb to which the body is applied,whereby not only is the vaporizing of the contained agent or substanceassisted and hastenedbut the emission of the resultant vapors and fumesis also expedited.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularlyenumerated, will be understood from the following detailed descriptionof the same.

Illustrative embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one form of the novel vapor emanatoraccording to this invention as operatively applied to an upstandingelectric light bulb; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the emanatoroperatively applied to a pendant electric light bulb; Fig. 3 is a topplan view of the emanator per se; Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of thesame; and Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the same, drawnon a somewhat enlarged scale.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a somewhat modified formof. the novel vapor emanator operatively applied to an upstandingelectric light bulb; and Fig. '7 is a bottom plan View of this emanatorper se.

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another modified form ofthe novel vapor emanator operatively applied to a pendant electric lightbulb.

Fig. 9 is a top plan View, and Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectionalview of still another modified form of the novel vapor emanator.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the hereinabovedescribed views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, one embodiment of the vaporemanator according to this invention, as therein shown, comprises anannular bottom section I I of U-shape or other selected cross-sectionalshape, the same providing an interior chamber l2 open at its top side.Cooperative with the open top side of said bottom section II is a topsection or cover [3, preferably adapted to telescope thereover to closethe open top of said interior chamber 12. Said top section or cover I3is preferably of upwardly arched cross-sectional shape, and formedtherein, between the annular central axis thereof and its inner marginor periphery is an annular row of spaced perforations which serve asvapor vents l4 leading outwardly from the interior chamber 1 2, and, byreason of their described disposition, directed inwardly toward thesurface of an electric light bulb B when applied in operative assembledand supported relation to the latter.

Formed in connection with the inner wall of said bottom section II,adjacent to the upper margin thereof, are a plurality of outwardlypressed hollow bosses or ribs I5 open toward the interior chamber 12.Said bosses or ribs 15 are thus circumferentially spaced around theinner side emanator, so as to provide intervening gaps or passagewaysH5. The under sides of said bosses or ribs I5 are placed to provide airintake openings H, in such manner that the upper sides of said bosses orribs overhang these openings so as to provide deflector sections l8which deflect or turn upwardly moving air into the interior chamber l2of the emanator.

The bottom of said interior chamber l2 provides a basin l9 within whichis deposited an agent or substance 20 of suitable character capable,when evaporated, to emit vapors or fumes for desired effects ofdeodorization, disinfection or perfuming of the surrounding air intowhich they are emitted and disseminated.

The agent or substance 20 may be furnished in any suitable form, 1. e.of either liquid, solid, powdered, or pastry form. For example, avolatile substance'capable of yielding vapors or fumes, adapted topermeate the atmosphere for a desired eifect, may be mixed with orincorporated in paratfin, a low melting point solid, so that when thelatter is cool and solidified, said substance is imprisoned therein withtendency to suppress evaporation thereof when functional operation ofthe emanator is not desired; but, when heat is applied sufficient tomelt the-parafiin, said substance will be liberated and readilyevaporated. Such combination of low melting point carrier and a selectedvolatilev active substance has the advantage that, when cool andsolidified, it will not spill, and consequently the emanator chargedwith the same can be more conveniently handled both during commercialdistribution and by the ultimate user. While such combination is perhapspreferred for the reasons given, I do not limit myself solely thereto,since so far as the novel structure of the emanator as a container isconcerned, it is indiiferent to the particular form or kind of volatilesubstance employed, or to the condition of said substance used eitheralone or in combination with a suitable carrier or vehicle. I

The internal diameter of the annular emanator device is somewhat lessthan the maximum external diameter of an electric light bulb B withwhich it is to be operatively associated. The emanator device isprovided with resilient retainer member which may be utilized to holdthe device against displacement. when applied upon the top end portionof an electric light bulb B disposed in an upstanding position. In apreferred form and arrangement thereof, said retainer members comprise apair of circular loop members 2| made of. spring wire, the same beingrespectively anchored or afiixed to diametrically opposite points at theexterior underside of the bottom section II, and so as to fold flatlyagainst the latter when not in use (see Fig. 4). When desired to beused, the free sides of the loop members 2| are flexed to turn the samedownward so as to permit the bulb B to pass upward therebetween untilthe emanator device seats itself on the bulb top, whereupon, when saidloop members 2| are released the same spring inwardly toward and aroundthe bulb sides so as to grip the bulb, and thus anchor the emanatordevice thereon (see Fig. 1). If the emanator device is applied to apendant bulb, the retainer loop members 2| need not be used, but remainfolded against the underside of the bottom section thereof (see Fig. 2).I

.When the emanator. device is adapted to the electric light bulb B, thebosses or ribs l5 con tact the bulb sides so as to space the inner wallof the bottom section therefrom. Inasmuch as there are gaps l6 betweenadjacent bosses or ribs l5, free or open air passageways are providedintermediate the emanator device and the bulb. When the bulb is lit, theair surrounding the same will be heated by heat radiated from the bulb,and being lighter will naturally tend to rise,

izab-le content, so that the desired vapors or fumes are liberated. Byreason of the provision seminated in the surrounding atmosphere.

of the air intake openings I1 formed in the undersides of the ribs orbosses i5, and which cooperate with the overhanging deflector sectionsIB, a proportion of the rising heated air will be caused to enter theinterior chamber I 2 of the emanator device, and by its movement andpressure therein will not only assist in the vaporizing efi'ects uponthe substance 20, but will set up a circulation or draught through theinterior chamber I 2 which will efficiently carry the liberated vaporsor fumes outwardly through the vents M to join the rising air streamsflowing upwardly through the passageways l6 and thus to be carriedquickly away from the bulb and dis- It will be noted that the vents Mare so located at the. sloping inner area of the top section or cover l3that the vapors or fumes emitted therethrough are directed definitelytoward the rising air streams so as to be readily mingled therewith andcarried away thereby.

' In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 there is shown a somewhat modified construction ofthe novel emanator device according to this invention, the samecomprising an annular bottom section 30 of suitable cross-sectionalshape and provided with a closing top section or cover 3| having vaporor fume vents 32 leading from the interior chamber 33. Pressed out fromthe inner walls of said bottom section are ribs or bosses 34 to engagethe sides of a bulb B to which the device is operatively applied, and soas to produce intermediate passages for the upward flow of air as abovereferred to. The means to introduce a portion of ascending air into andfor circulation through the chamber 33 and its vents 32, is of somewhatdifferent form, and comprises tubular ducts 35 affixed to the bottom ofthe section 30 to extend upwardly through the interior thereof and itscontent ofvaporizable substance 20 to the space above the level of thelatter, thus conducting warm air, the heat of which may be radiated fromthe duct walls directly to the substance 20, while at the same time thecirculation of the currents of air through the interior aids in carryingmembers 36 may be aflixed to the emanator del vice, as shown in Figs. 6and '7, in place of the resilient loop members previously described.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown a simpler form of the emanator deviceof this invention, which, however, still embodies certain of the novelprinciples of this invention. In this simple form thereof, the devicecomprises an integral annular body 40 suitably shaped to provide atrough-like bottom section M and inner and outer top sections 42 and 43,so formed and related that the free marginal portion of the outersection 43 is spaced from and somewhat overhangs the free marginalportion of the inner section 42, thus providing an annular inwardlydescribed vent mouth 44 which is directed toward the sides of a bulb towhich the device is applied in use. Pressed out from the inner side ofthe body 40' are circumferentially spaced ribs or bosses 45 providingintermediate air passages 46 to serve the purposes already abovedescribed.

In all of the above described constructions, the projectional extent ofthe bulb contacting ribs or bosses may be selected or predetermined soas to dispose the body of the emanator nearer to or farther from thesides of the bulb according to the desire to increase or diminish theeffects of heat. radiated from the bulb in aid of evaporation of thecontent of the device. Ordinarily the closer the emanator body isdisposed relative to the bulb, the greater the effective heat and morerapid the evaporation, but if the emanator body is further removed fromthe bulb sides, the less effective is the heat and the slower theevaporation.

It may also be pointed out that order to assist in stabilizing theattached relation of the emanator device to the bulb, the bulbcontacting ribs or bosses of the former may be coated with a tacky moreor less adhesive substance, such e, g. as latex, rubber or othersuitable gum, which will afford a non-slipping contact with the glass ofthe bulb.

Although the invention has been described in detail, it is not to belimited to the exact construction as shown, since variations may be madewithin the spirit of this invention and the scope of the here followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A vapor emanator comprising, a hollow an nular body to contain avaporiaab-le fume emitting substance and adapted to he supported by andaround an electric light bulb, said body having spaced means to abut thebulb disposed to project from the inner walls thereof, thereby providingair flow passages intermediate the same and said bulb. and said bodyhaving a closed top portion provided with vent means lead ing from thebody interior and directed toward the sides of the bulb to which. saidbody is applied to discharge emitted fumes into the air streams flowingupwardly through said air flow passages intermediate said body and bulb.

2. A vapor emanator comprising, a hollow annular body to contain avaporizable fume emit ting substance and adapted to be supported byfumes into the air streams flowing upwardly through said air flowpassages, intermediate said body and bulb. and resilient retainer meansconnected with the bottom portion of said body adapted to embracinglyengage said bulb to hold said body against displacement therefrom.

A vapor einanator comprising, a hollow annular body to contain avnp'orizable fume emitting substance and adapted to be supported by andaround an electric light bulb, said body I? having spaced means to abutthe bulb sides disposed to project from the inner walls thereof,

thereby providing air flow passages intermediate the same and said bulb,said body having in its top portion upwardly and inwardly directed ventmeans to discharge emitted fumes into the air streams flowing upwardlythrough. said passages,

resilient retainer means connected with the bottom portion of said bodyadapted to embracingly engage said bulb to hold said body againstdisplacement therefrom, said retainer means comprising a pair ofcircular spring wire loop mem bers respectively aifixed to diametricallyopposite points of said body bottom portion to normally lie flatlyfolded thereagainst but capable of being flexed and spread apart toreceive said bulb lherebetween.

4:. A vapor emanator comprising, a hollow annular body to contain avaporizable fume emitting substance and adapted to be supported by andaround an electric light bulb, said body having spaced means to abut thebulb sides disposed to project from the inner walls thereof, therebyproviding air flow passages intermediate the same and said bulb, saidbody having a closed top portion provided with vent means extendingaround the same to lead from the body interior and directed toward thesides of the bulb to which the body is applied to discharge emittedfumes into the air streams flowing upwardly through said air flowpassages intermediate said body and bulb, and said body also having airadmission means leading upwardly into and communicating with theinterior there ofabove the level of fume emitting substance containedtherein whereby a draught is induced through said body interior to bothenhance vaporization of the substance contained in said body and to aidin discharging the resultant fumes through said vent means.

5. A vapor emanator comprising, a hollow annular body to contain avaporizable fume emitting substance and adapted to be supported by andaround an electric light bulb, said body having spaced means to abut thebulb sides disposed to project from the inner walls thereof,

' ing upwardly through said air flow passages intermediate said body andbulb, said body also having air admission means leading upwardly intoand communicating with the interior thereof above the level of fumeemitting substance contained therein whereby a draught is inducedthrough said body interior to both enhance vaporization of the substancecontained in said body and to aid in discharging the resultant fumesthrough said vent means, and resilient retainer means connected with thebottom por tion of said body adapted to e-mbracingly engage said bulb tohold said body against displacement therefrom.

6. A vapor emanator comprising, a hollow annular body to contain avaporizable fume emitting substance and adapted to be supported by andaround an electric light bulb, said body having spaced means to abut thebulb sides disposed to project from the inner walls thereof, therebyproviding air flow passages intermediate the same and said bulb, saidbody having in its top portion upwardly and inwardly directed vent meansto discharge emitted fumes into the air streams flowing upwardly throughsaid passages, said body also having air admission means leadingupwardly into the interior thereof whereby a draught therethrough isdischarged through said vent means to both enhance vaporization of thesubstance contained in said body and to aid in discharging the resultantfumes, resilient retainer means connected with the bottom portion ofsaid body adapted to embracingly engage said bulb to hold said bodyagainst displacement therefrom, said retainer means comprising a pair ofcircular wire loop members respectively affixed to diametricallyopposite points of'said body bottom portion to normally lie flatlyfolded thereagainst but capable of being flexed and spread apart toreceive said bulb therebetween.

7. A vapor emanator comprising, a closed hollow annular body to containa vaporizable fume emitting substance and adapted to be supported by andaround an electric light bulb, means formed in connection with said bodyadapted to provide external up-flow air passages between said body andthe side of a bulb to which it is operatively applied and ingoing airadmission ports communicating with the interior of said body above thelevel of fume emitting substance contained therein, and said body havingvent means in its closed top portion.

8. A vapor emanator comprising, a hollow annular upwardly open bottomsection to contain a vaporizable fume emitting substance and adapted tobe supported by and around an electric light bulb, a cover section toclose the open top of said bottom section, said cover section havingvent means leading outwardly from the bottom section interior,circumferentially spaced concavo-convex ribs disposed to project fromthe inner walls of said bottom section, thereby providing external airflow passages intermediate the latter and said bulb, and said ribshaving air intake openings on their undersides leading into the interiorof said bottom section above the level of fume emitting substancecontained therein, the upper curved sides of said ribs being adapted toserve as deflector means to direct ingomg air into the bottom sectioninterior for the purposes described. 7

9. A vapor emanator comp-rising, a hollow annular upwardly open bottomsection to contain a vaporizable fume emitting substance and adapted tobe supported by and around an electric light bulb, a cover section toclose the open top of said bottom section, said cover section havingvent means leading outwardly from the bottom section interior,circumferentially spaced concavo-convex ribs disposed to project fromthe inner walls of said bottom section, therebyproviding external airflow passages intermediate the latter and said bulb, said ribs havingair intake openings on their undersides leading into the interior ofsaid bottom section above the level of fume emitting substance containedtherein, the upper curved sides of said ribs being adapted to serve asdeflector means to direct ingoing air into the bottom section interiorfor the purposes described, and resilient retainer means connected withsaid bottom section adapted to embracingly engage said bulb to holdtheemanator against displacement therefrom.

10. A vapor emanator comprising, a hollow annular upwardly open bottomsection to contain a vaporizable fume emitting substance and adapted tobe supported by and around an electric light bulb, a cover section toclose the open top of said bottom section, said cover section havingvent means leading outwardly from the-bottom section interior,circumferentially spaced concaveconvex ribs disposed to project fromtheinner r Walls of said bottom section, thereby providing external airflow passages intermediate the latter and said bulb, said ribs havingair intake openings on their undersides leading into the interior ofsaid bottom section, the upper curved sides of said ribs being adaptedto serve as deflector means to direct ingoing air into the bottomsection interior for the purposes described, resilient retainer meansconnected with said bottom section adapted to embracingly engage saidbulb to hold the emanator against displacement there from, said retainermeans comprising a pair of circular spring Wire loop membersrespectively affixed externally to diametrically opposite points of saidbottom section to normally lie flatly folded thereagainst but capable ofbeing flexed and spread apart to receive said bulb therebetween.

RUSSELL B. KINGMAN.

